Airpower Liaison for the Land Component: The Primacy of the USAF TACP Construct.

摘要

Combat operations from World War II to present day, along with technological advances, have had a profound effect on airpower development and liaison. Initially airpower was either strategic or tactical, since the operational level concept did not exist. Airpower was considered the tactical level of war when supporting the land component, which is where the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) developed. The United States Air Force (USAF) TACP construct became the primary USAF liaison element to integrate airpower with the land component. Recent operations facilitated the institution of the operational level of war, driving the requirement for an operational level airpower liaison to the land component. Yet, the USAF TACP is considered a tactical level liaison only, even though it has inherent capabilities and advantages above the tactical level of war. This thesis examines the USAF TACP's ability to provide airpower liaison above the tactical level of war. Specifically, it provides a basic theory and primer behind current airpower liaison concepts, related to the TACP and the conventional land component. The primacy of the USAF TACP construct as the land component's airpower liaison and command and control (C2) element above the tactical level of war is illustrated.